Jesus Christ, Our Blessed Savior (CW 313)
1 Corinthians 11:23-29
23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
27 Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself.
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1. The apostle Paul speaks to the substance of the Lord’s Supper and proper reception. Read 1 Corinthians 11:23-29. What does Jesus give in the Sacrament with the bread and wine (vv. 24-25)?
2. The Lord’s Supper is for baptized followers of Christ who believe the truths He taught, including the necessity of repentance and belief in His real presence in the Sacrament. What are Christians to do before coming to the table (v. 28)?
Jesus Christ, Our Blessed Savior (313)
Jesus Christ, our blessèd Savior,
Turned away God’s wrath forever;
By His bitter grief and woe
He saved us from the evil foe.
As His pledge of love undying,
He, this precious food supplying,
Gives His body with the bread,
And with the wine the blood He shed.
Jesus here Himself is sharing;
Heed then how you are preparing,
For if you do not believe,
His judgment then you shall receive.
Praise the Father, who from heaven
To His own this food has given,
Who, to mend what we have done,
Gave into death His only Son.
Firmly hold with faith unshaken
That this food is to be taken
By the sick who are distressed,
By hearts that long for peace and rest.
Agony and bitter labor
Were the cost of God’s high favor;
Do not come if you suppose
You need not Him who died and rose.
Christ says: “Come, all you that labor,
And receive My grace and favor:
Those who feel no pain or ill
Need no physician’s help or skill.
“For what purpose was My dying
If not for your justifying?
And what use this precious food
If you yourself were pure and good?”
If your heart this truth professes
And your mouth your sin confesses,
You will be your Savior’s guest,
Be at His banquet truly blest.
Let this food your faith so nourish
That its fruit of love may flourish
And your neighbor learn from you
How much God’s wondrous love can do.